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| March 2005—Issue 1
Editor House of Delegates Officers Denise Johnson, RRT/Speaker-elect Debbie
Fox, MBA, RRT/Secretary Thomas Striplin, MEd, RRT, RPFT/Past
Speaker |
In This Issue... | |
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John Blewett Claude Dockter Thomas Striplin
Debbie Fox Robert Milisch Steve Kessinger Debbie Fox
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| John Blewett, RRT It is with great pleasure that the publications committee brings you this issue of the AARC Record. One theme that runs through this issue is the idea of “connections.” House Speaker Claude Dockter’s article addresses the all important personal connections we all make with each other; how vital they are to the success of our organization(s) and how therapeutic they can be for surviving in our world. Speaker-elect Denise Johnson writes of cohesiveness between the House, the AARC Board of Directors and the AARC executive office. She also writes of all of us connecting ideas through a forum for sharing “best practices.” Steve Kessinger’s inspired and inspiring article deals with connecting for the common good….illustrating that teamwork is a necessary foundation for any successful institution or community. Madam Secretary, Debbie Fox, points out the desperate need for all of us to connect professionally and politically. It is no coincidence that the AARC’s electronic conduit to the political entities in Washington is named “Capital Connection.” Our esteemed Treasurer, Bob Milisch, tells the tale of the connections that we bring to each other and beyond our organization through the Delegate Assistance Fund. And finally, Past Speaker Tom Striplin goes way beyond the boundaries of our own country emphasizing the need for international connections; even proposing that we eventually have representation in the House from far away. Imagine the diversity of ideas that would come about as a result of that! The crazy race we run just getting through each day often forces us to prioritize what gets done and what gets pushed to the backburner on the stove of life. Sadly, for me, that often means I don’t respond quickly to that kind note from a friend or acquaintance far away. It is often so easy to become disconnected from the individuals and organizations that are important in our lives. I know I have to make a conscious effort to avoid such disconnection, and even then I don’t always succeed. Networking with leaders from state societies all over the country is one of the many great benefits of being a member of the House. It really is the conduit through which so much of the work of the House is accomplished. It also serves to remind us that we are not the only ones facing the struggles that every affiliate faces. These connections: personal, professional, political and even economic, are vital to what we do and how we do it. They serve as a cornerstone to success as individuals, as state societies and as a national professional organization. Please, read on.... |
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| Claude Dockter, RRT Keeping In Touch New Orleans 2004 site of the AARC House of Delegates meeting seems so long ago. I returned from New Orleans on December 8th. I had the same feelings I have every time I return from a House of Delegates meeting. I was energized. I felt like I could meet any challenge head- on and resolve it in a fashion that would result in a win/win solution. My coffee never tasted better. My wife never looked lovelier. My children were never more precious. As I start my day I still have a smile on my face and visions of my colleagues in the House of Delegates discussing the issues facing Respiratory Care. I return to my office. I am greeted by e-mails, phone messages, and staff all demanding my immediate attention. After 4 hours of meetings with staff, responding to e-mails, and answering phone messages...... my eyes glaze over. The smile has left my face. Diagnosis?....... HOD Withdrawal! Once again the phone rings. On the other end is a fellow AARC HOD colleague. They were just checking in to make sure I have survived the ‘re-entry’ process. I have been saved! After a lengthy discussion and comparing ‘re-entry’ notes we laugh and say good-bye. I again find a smile on my face and a renewed energy. I go through this roller coaster of emotional bliss and disillusionment on a routine bases. What I find is that there is one common denominator that brings the smile and the energy back. It is those phone calls and e-mails from my HOD colleagues. Whether it is just a brief message saying hello, or a question regarding procedure, or follow up on an issue; I find myself smiling and ready to take on the world. Speaking of taking on the world. Since New Orleans a considerable amount of time has been spent getting organized. Here is a snapshot of the activities:
Things are moving forward. People are taking action. It is going to be an exciting year, and the future of Respiratory Care keeps getting brighter and brighter. Hope you have time to take advantage of the opportunities to make a difference. Please, let’s keep in touch. [Top] |
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| Thomas Striplin, MEd, RRT Moving the Profession Forward on a Global Scale We are fortunate as practitioners to have a professional organization such as the AARC to work so ardently on our behalf. Although at times we have had differences between the 3 bodies of the AARC, we have overcome those differences in order to continue to move forward on all fronts. The AARC is working hard to assure that we are considered by the rest of the world as the global experts in respiratory care. It is truly exciting that we have started to move into the global realm of respiratory care in order that we can share ideas, strategies, and therapeutic modalities to better the care and treatment of our patients. I believe it is not too far in the distant future when the House of Delegates will expand beyond the 50 states and Puerto Rico and include representatives of other countries. As complicated as that might seem, the benefits of being able to share with other cultures surely outweighs any risks. I have always enjoyed the opportunity to exchange ideas with the international fellows. Increased global representation and interaction only strengthens our professional integrity in the medical community. There may come a day when we have an “International House of Delegates”, and that prospect is truly exciting! As we open the door to other countries to be partners with the AARC and to become an “international member”, we must also embrace the prospect of international representation in our organizational direction. We can not expect to grow as a profession and a professional organization without willing to be able to give something in exchange. I must give credit to many of the AARC leaders, including those in the Executive Office, the House of Delegates and the Board of Directors for remaining steadfast in a commitment to move this profession forward and not be content with the status quo. The prospect of international respiratory care, universal therapist driven protocols, home health care recognition, representation on CPG billing codes and a host of other initiatives assures me that our leadership organization is thinking out of the box and positioning us for the future and not the past. I am proud to be a member of the AARC and I am excited to embrace the new opportunities that await this profession and professional organization. Of course we will continue to face many challenges to our professional existence, but it is the opportunities we must not let pass us by in order that we continue to grow professionally. [Top] |
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| Denise Johnson, BS, RRT I want to start off my report with a huge thank you to you, the members of the House for electing me speaker-elect. It was quite overwhelming (still is) and humbling at the same time. I will do my very best to prepare for my year as speaker and look to all of you for your thoughts, ideas, concerns and support as we move into 2005. I am now in my sixth year in the house and our meeting in New Orleans I think topped them all. I felt a renewed sense of commitment and cohesiveness within the House and with the BOD. The leadership of Janet and John and Tom and Claude was instrumental in setting the tone for the meeting and the future. There were significant improvements in communication between our two bodies. Claude and I will continue with this same commitment, not only to sustain but also continue to improve our communications with the HOD, the BOD, and the EO. There are plans for a strategic thinking meeting to occur with Mike Runge, John Hiser, Claude and myself when we meet in Dallas in March. There would also be plans made for ongoing regular key check in points throughout the year with this same group. Another commitment Claude and I share is “getting back to the basics.” It was described so well in the focus groups we did at one of our House meetings. We want to make some of your recommendations come to life. We must focus our attention on the profession and practice of Respiratory Therapy. It is constantly evolving and with all of the expertise you bring from a wide variety of backgrounds, we need a forum to share best practice with each other. We will learn so much from each other. You will be hearing more about the details of this soon. Speaking of getting back to the basics, I must mention the eloquent, inspirational keynote speaker we had the privilege to listen to in New Orleans. Brooke Ellison was awesome! I could not think of a better way to kick off the 4 day Educational program. I kept imagining and wishing all RT’s and other healthcare providers had the opportunity to listen to her story. I have talked about it with many people since my return. It has had a lasting impression on me that reminds me of the reason why I got into and have stayed in this profession for 30 years. I read her book as soon as I returned and would recommend it highly to all of you. Many thanks to the AARC Education committee for bringing Brooke to us! 2005 is going to be a great year. I look forward to working with all of you. Please feel free to call or write me any time. [Top] |
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| Debbie Fox, MBA, RRT I am looking forward to my first year as Secretary of the House of Delegates. I would like to thank all of you for giving me this opportunity. With the House leadership of Claude, Denise and Tom, 2005 should be a productive and exciting year. While pondering potential topics for this article I considered past discussions at House meetings and our goals for this year. As a member of the PACT since it was formed, I have always had a special interest in the legislative or political aspect of Respiratory Care. As you know, President John Hiser has set a goal for us to achieve passage of our bills to include Respiratory Therapists under the Medicare Home Health Benefit. Claude has also made this a goal for the HOD. Last year, Tom appointed an AdHoc Committee to help facilitate the involvement of the House. I can remember many times when Delegates have commented on the professionalism, energy and leadership shown by the members of the House. I believe it’s time for all of us to now demonstrate our House Leadership. Jill Eicher and Cheryl West have both told us that this year is the year our best chance yet of getting the bills passed. Last session we built solid support with 37 co-sponsors for our House Bill and introduction of our companion bill in the Senate. We hope to build on that momentum this year. But we will not be successful without grassroots support. Remember the conversations about the underutilization of Capitol Connection? How only a small percentage of the membership had sent emails supporting this action? I challenge all Delegates to send an email or fax to their Congressman and Senators. But don’t stop there! Make sure every Board member of your state society sends an email. Get your co-workers involved. Explain to them how Respiratory Therapists are covered in hospitals, in SNFs and outpatient settings and how important it will be to include coverage in the home care setting. Bring up the Capitol Connection website on a computer in the department and show them how to send an email during their break. But don’t stop there! Encourage Respiratory Therapy programs in your state to request their students to send an email as part of their professional development. Some educators have incorporated this into their professional development or community service curriculum or have given extra credit points for participation. Take a laptop to a Chapter or District meeting and show members how to use the site. Educate other consumers (patients, families, pulmonary rehab groups, etc) that they can also use Capitol Connection to send their emails of support. Now is the time for all of us to be leaders. Wouldn’t it be great to celebrate the passage of our Medicare bills when we meet in Orlando? I look forward to working with all of you this year; I’m already practicing correct pronunciation of all the states for roll call, with Denise serving as my mentor. [Top] |
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| Treasurer's Report: The Disaster Relief Fund Robert Milisch, RRT I felt proud as I sat in the House meetings for the past four years and witnessed the parade of delegates with checks for the AARC Disaster Relief Fund. I was glad to present checks for the fund from the state of Wisconsin. I’ve always wanted to know more about the fund, how it worked, and who got the money. As the HOD treasurer, I figured I could get some answers to my questions and report my findings to the delegations. The first step was to email to Pat Lee who, as everyone knows, is the most efficient person on the face of the planet. I now have a listing of fund activity from December 1999 to present. Below is what I found. At the end of December the fund had a balance of about $10,800.00. Since that time, $23,775.00 was contributed by various state societies, one hospital RC department and two individuals. Some contributions were not identified. Individuals from Oklahoma, North Carolina, North Dakota and Minnesota received $1,850.00 with the average amount to any one individual being about $300.00. The fund also made contributions totaling $17,415 to the New York Firefighters, the Pentagon Assistance Fund and the Todd Bearner Fund Following 9/11. A more recent $1,000.00 contribution to the ALA of Florida was made in September of 2004. The current fund balance is around $14,300.00. This shows that the Disaster Relief Fund is doing exactly what I had hoped it was doing. The money that has been donated by the state societies and individuals has been used to help several individuals and some agencies that have been struck by disaster. In the next Record I will try to outline the process for distributing funds. [Top] |
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| Steve Kessinger, HOD Delegate (Nevada) Many years ago I read an article regarding the polio epidemic in Europe during the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. It seems that they did not have enough iron lung machines to support all who contracted the disease. There were no inhalation therapists, as we were still a couple of years from our eventful beginnings. To combat the lack of iron lungs they recruited medical students. Each student would bag-mask ventilate a patient, rotating frequently with other students so as not to wear out. When necessary other professionals would relieve the students. Everyone’s forearm development was as unique as those of us who practiced CPT using our hands prior to the development of percussors. (We use to call them Popeye arms) The epidemic, thankfully was eventually quelled. We all know from recent events that humans will set aside their differences during a crisis to provide whatever resources they have to get through the initial event. However when the crisis is over we go back to our normal state of divisive behavior. This phenomenon can occur in any business at any time. Healthcare is no different. We have all seen extreme times where workloads are so high we barely have time to exchange routines pleasantries and other times when we could watch the paint dry. Unlike most other businesses however, we have an ongoing crisis in the form of manpower. The number of students going into practically every healthcare profession has dwindled. From the Hospital CEO to the laboratory technician, we have a disproportionate amount of retirees versus new blood. Some are leaving the field because they have been worked too hard for too long. During the polio epidemic, they learned that without teamwork the patient would likely die. Luckily, they came to the conclusion that teamwork was the only way to function in that environment. Teamwork is, therefore, a mandate, not a “once in a while crisis mode” mentality. We need to revisit that mentality and keep it in the forefront of our daily work. In my previous places of employment, the “That’s not my job” attitude prevailed. I’m fortunate now to be working in an organization where most everyone helps one another and seldom do we feel as if someone has “stepped on our toes”. We help turn patients, get coffee, ice, etc. We even watch cardiac monitors when necessary. It’s not uncommon to see people picking up scraps of paper from the hallway floors or answering lights when our CNA’s are busy. There is pride in our facility! We still have those who believe they are there to do their job and nothing else.[Top] |
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| Debbie Fox, MBA, RRT The results of the Effectiveness Survey conducted at the New Orleans HOD meeting are listed below. Delegates returned seventy-nine surveys at the meeting. The average ranking for each statement and other comments received are listed below. If you have any questions, please contact me. Thank you to everyone who took the time to fill out and return the surveys.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Good meeting Communication definitely improved. The Resolution Tracking document is fantastic but [it] is an example of the “black hole” that HOD members complain about once something goes to EO or is referred!! Establish an “accountability track” for each resolution that is active; update on activity required by EO/HOD/BOD a minimum of twice annually @ HOD meetings. Once this happens, communication & participation in strategic planning will certainly improve. Resolution process is only as good as the resolutions. We need to make sure our resolutions are within the goals of the AARC & strategic plan. They need to have a value to our members at the Affiliate level as well as the National level. Better communication this session. Networking opportunities have improved with the first night social gathering. The resolution process does not allow for “timely” input. The Speaker should lead the business not comment Parliamentarian should know rules well enough to lessen confusion. Now that orientation is shortened, start HOD meeting sooner. Continue to close loop on disposition of motions/resolutions referred by BOD to committees/EO. We would all love to show pictures of our children and loved ones but please, it is not the time or place during the HOD session. The open microphone session should stick to introducing new ideas! Tom- you did an excellent job! SIC Committee should be limited to 10 minutes. Communication between the HOD & BOD is improving. Orientation was excellent Please provide H2O on tables. |
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